Combined BS and MS in Chemistry

American University offers students the opportunity to earn both undergraduate and graduate degrees through its accelerated bachelor’s/master’s programs. Undergraduate students may complete up to 3 credits for every 9 credits required for the graduate degree that may be applied to the requirements for both degree programs. The department that oversees the graduate program the student enters will determine if the courses the undergraduate student completes will satisfy master’s degree requirements. Bachelor’s/master’s students must complete at least 18 in-residence credit hours at the graduate level after the bachelor’s degree is earned and maintain continuous, sequential enrollment in the two programs.

This program enables qualified students to earn, in a continuous plan of study, both the BS in Biochemistry or Chemistry and the MS in Chemistry.

Requirements

Undergraduate chemistry majors should apply for admission to the BS/MS program by the end of the junior year. Admission is open to undergraduates whose overall grade point average and grade point average in chemistry courses is 3.00 or higher. Applications must be accompanied by two letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose.

Students should discuss their interest in the program with members of the faculty before submitting a formal application. Interested students are encouraged to enroll in CHEM-490 Independent Study Project to conduct independent study research before applying.

All requirements for the BS in Chemistry or Biochemistry

Undergraduate students may apply up to 9 credit hours of approved graduate-level course work in chemistry and STAT-514 Statistical Methods to satisfy the requirements for both degrees.

All requirements for the MS in Chemistry, including a minimum of 18 credit hours completed in residence in graduate status after the undergraduate degree has been awarded. Students must finish the master’s degree requirements within three years from the date of first enrollment in the master’s program.